The beauty of Cedar Rapids

Ah, Cedar Rapids.....
A June trip back to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, reminded us of the beauty we have known there. It was a wonderful time of visiting old friends. But we also saw again the corn fields spread across the rolling countryside, and the rain dripping from the trees, the vetch along the highways, flowers beneath the trees, blackberries ripening..... all these reminded us again of the beauty we have known there. We walked down along the street, when 2 small fawns came out of the trees. At first I thought they might come right up to us, but they sensed danger, and went back into the trees where mother waited, perhaps with some concern. Someone told me how many of these beautiful creatures are in the city limits of Cedar Rapids. We enjoy their beauty, but also there are conflicts when they go into the busy streets.
While there is beauty, while there are wonderful friends, we also find sorrow. Our dear friend, Louise is dying of lung cancer. Maybe that last hug was the last hug we will share..... But the fawns will be dying. The flowers give us their beauty and then they are gone. Even the ancient rolling hills slowly move and change. Everything is change, and there is wonder and beauty in change. I, too, am old, and my bones tell me that dying is indeed part of living. What a wonder it is to be alive! What a wonder it is to see the beautiful fawns, and all the little children. I know that when we are gone, Louise, life will be here. Life, and the world, goes on....